Lie Number 2- There Are Many Ways To God

Lie Number 2 There Are Many Ways To God

Text: John 14:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Introduction:

* Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.

* Without someone to help us get into heaven, there is no way to get there-

- Jesus said He is the only way to get to Heaven.

* Without someone we can depend on to tell us the truth, there is no way to know the truth from error.

- Jesus said He is the only one who can tell us what the truth is.

* Without someone to give us eternal life, then there is no way to live forever.

- Jesus said that only He can give us eternal life.

* J. Vernon McGee was once confronted by someone who said “Don’t you think it’s narrow minded to believe that Christians are the only ones going to heaven?” He answered that he used to have a teacher that was so narrow minded that she insisted 2+2 must always make 4.

* Did her narrow mindedness make her wrong? Neither does it make a Christian wrong to preach that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

I. Jesus said “I am the Way.”

* There is only one way to approach God this morning.

* We cannot just walk up to a Holy God this morning and ask to have our sins forgiven. We cannot do it alone. We must have a mediator to approach a Holy God.

Hebrews 9:24 (KJV 1900)

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself,

now to appear in the presence of God for us:

* God will reject any attempt of man to approach Him without Jesus, the mediator between God and man.

1 Timothy 2:4–6 (KJV 1900)

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

A. Men in vain try to approach God another way.

Jude 11 (KJV 1900)

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

* What is the “way of Cain?”

* The “way of Cain” is approaching God thru our own way. The “way of Cain is “religion.”

Jude 12–13 (KJV 1900)

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. * Twice Dead? Listen to what Jesus said about those who think they can clean themselves up and be acceptable to God:

Matthew 12:43–45 (KJV 1900)

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. * Listen to what Jesus had to say to the religious rulers of His day.

Matthew 23:15 (KJV 1900)

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Jude 16–19 (KJV 1900)

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

* The people who go the “way of Cain” do not have the Spirit. They are worshiping God thru the efforts of their own flesh.

* Cain thought that He could approach God in whatever way He pleased and was rejected by God.

* People are still trying to approach God in whatever way they please, but when they stand before God in the Judgment they will be astonished to hear what God has to say to them.

Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV 1900)

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. * These folks are going to be cast into Hell! Matthew 25:41 (KJV 1900)

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

* Able approached God in the way God would accept.

* My friend there is only one way to God this morning, and it is not thru religion. It is through Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God.

* Let’s look at the story:

Genesis 4:1–7 (KJV 1900)

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.

* God does not respect everyone’s effort to approach Him. And Cain was very wroth,

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* Let’s stop here for a minute.

* Why does the world hate the Gospel so much? Why did the religious rulers of Jesus’ day plot against Jesus to crucify Him?

* It was because Jesus told them that God would not accept their efforts to approach God.

* When you tell a person that their religion will not get them to heaven, or that faith Jesus alone is the only way to get to heaven, My friend it makes them angry- Just like it made Cain angry!

* Listen to the word of Jesus:

Matthew 10:34–39 (KJV 1900)

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

* Ok, back to the text:

and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well,

sin lieth at the door.

And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

* Herein lies the problem:

* My friend the reason that religion will not get you to heaven is that religion can do nothing to deliver you from sin.

* According to the New Testament, Abele’s offering pointed to the blood of Christ that would one day remove permanently remove the barrier of sin.

Hebrews 11:4 (KJV 1900)

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

B. Jesus said I am the olny way to God.

* Only the blood sacrifice of Jesus, the Perfect Lamb of God can remove that great barrier between God and man.

* Ever since God shed the first blood in the Bible, God has required a blood sacrifice to approach a Holy God.

Hebrews 9:17–22 (KJV 1900)

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 9:26–28 (KJV 1900)

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared

to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Matthew 26:26–28 (KJV 1900)

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

1 Peter 1:18–20 (KJV 1900)

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

* My friend, the “way of Cain” is man’s effort to approach God without a blood sacrifice. This is the approach of Religion- To offer good works and good intentions instead of the required blood sacrifice.

* When Jesus said “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” He made a dead-end street of all the cults and false religions of this world.

* At the end of this dead end road is an eternal Hell.

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV 1900)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

* All those folks on who are trying to get to heaven by religion are on the broad way. They are traveling on a dead end road.

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

* It is understood in the Bible that Abele’s sacrifice was accepted by God because that sacrificial lamb represented the Lamb of God, Jesus that would shed His blood for forgiveness of sins.

* Cain’s sacrifice represented the works of his hands, or religion.

* God did not accept Cain’s approach to Him without blood, and neither will He accept any man’s approach to Him without the blood of Jesus.

* Christianity is exclusive by its very nature. All those who do not approach God the way God says He is to be approached, will be excluded from heaven.

Luke 13:22–24 (KJV 1900)

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

* In our text, Jesus was talking about heaven. He then states that He is the only way to get to there.

John 14:1–6 (KJV 1900)

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 10:1–5 (KJV 1900)

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

John 10:7–10 (KJV 1900)

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,

* My friend mark it down right now. If you try to enter heaven any other way than by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ you will never be saved! You will never see heaven!

and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Acts 4:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

* Preaching like this offends people. It offended people when Jesus preached this way too:

John 6:47–51 (KJV 1900)

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life.

49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John 6:53–54 (KJV 1900)

53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:61 (KJV 1900)

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

John 6:65 (KJV 1900)

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

John 6:66–68 (KJV 1900)

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

John 3:18–21 (AV)

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1 Timothy 2:4–6 (KJV 1900)

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

II. Jesus said “I am the Truth.”

* We live in a society today that refused to define “Truth.”

* Let’s take a look at the definition of truth:

* Truth is “An objective standard by which reality is measured”

* “Truth has nothing to do with how you feel, or what you think.”

* Pilots are taught to fly by their instruments, because their instruments are the “standard of truth” when it comes to knowing where they are. * Pilots cannot go by what they see, or how they feel. They must trust a standard they can depend on.

* If you have not set God’s truth as your standard that you go by, Satan will have you flying upside-down all the while you are thinking you are right-side-up.

* The Bible exhorts us to “Gird up our loins with truth.” This means we are to make God’s eternal truth the instrument that we can trust to pilot or lives by.

* God is referred to as “the God of truth” In Isaiah 65:

Isaiah 65:15–16 (KJV 1900)

he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth;

* The same Hebrew word is used in Revelation 3:14:

Revelation 3:14–15 (KJV 1900)

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

* The Hebrew words that make up this passage describe the God of truth as being eternally faithful, or never changing.

* The “Gold Standard” of all biblical teaching, is that all truth is comes forth from the eternal and unchanging God of the Bible.

* Because the truth never changes, truth is the standard that reveals what is a lie. This is why Satan hates the truth. The truth is the only thing that will reveal him for exactly what he is. A liar.

* The truth this morning is something that is never changing. Real truth is eternal. What was the truth 10,000 years ago is still the truth today. What is the truth today will still be the truth 10,000 years from now.

Psalm 119:159–160 (KJV 1900)

159 Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. 160 Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

* The religion of this “New World Order” prevalent in our culture today tries to tell us that there is no absolute truth.

* This is the lie and deception of Satan, the father of lies. If people are allowed to consider what “truth” is, then they would be forced to seek the truth from God their Creator.

* The Opera Winfrees of this world tell everyone that there are many “truths,” or religions in the world, and that they all lead to God.

* The popular phrase you hear today is that “there are many paths that lead to God.”

* Paul warned Timothy about this kind of folks in the church:

2 Timothy 4:2–4 (KJV 1900)

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

* Once again, this is a lie of Satan. The best way for Satan to keep men from seeking the truth is to cloud what the truth really is.

* Jesus said that He is Truth.

* Pilate asked Jesus a question that we all need to define this morning. What is “Truth?”

John 18:37–38 (KJV 1900)

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?

* Jesus gives us the answer to this question in His prayer for His disciples in John 17:

John 17:17–19 (KJV 1900)

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

*Jesus answers Pilates question- What is “truth?” Truth is God’s Word! 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

* The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is the only standard for truth in this world!

* Unless what you are calling true is what God says is true, it’s not the truth!

* It doesn’t matter how many people voted for it!

* It doesn’t matter how popular it is!

* It doesn’t matter how many people agree with it.

* If what you call is the truth does not line up with the Bible, The “Word of God,” it is not the truth!

* The Bible is the final authority and all matters life.

* My friend, the truth of the Word of God will hold your life together as you go through the troubles and trials of life.

* The Bible teaches us that Jesus is the personification of “The Word of God.” Jesus is the personification of Truth! Jesus is a walking, talking Bible! Jesus is the truth with legs and arms!

John 1:1–5 (KJV 1900)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:14 (KJV 1900)

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 5:7 (KJV 1900)

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Revelation 19:11–16 (KJV 1900)

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

III. Jesus said “I am the Life.”

* My friend this morning only Jesus can give eternal life.

John 6:47–51 (KJV 1900)

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life.

John 11:25–26 (KJV 1900)

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

* Jesus turned from Mary and shouted Lazarus com forth!

* If Jesus had not called Lazarus by name every person who has ever lived would have risen from the dead!

John 6:–68 (KJV 1900)

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.